Hello John and Doves,
For the last two weeks
or so, we've seen news of an imminent massive attack by Iran
on Israel, and Israel moving into Lebanon against Hezbollah
and Israel 'pre-empting' Iran. I've heard 'in hours',
'within 72 hours', 'by this weekend', 'in 2 days'. 'delayed
until Thursday or Friday'...etc. And nothing
yet. Many people waiting for this have expressed
surprise that the times/days have come and gone. .
Biden et al have been
trying to line up ceasefire negotiations between Israel and
Hamas - hoping for a meeting on August 15. Israel may
be interested. Or maybe not as the Israeli Finance
Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the Biden cease-fire
negotiations a "dangerous trap". He believes this
'deal' is a "surrender" and that Israel should not release
Palestinian prisoners for the hostages. He has warned
Netanyahu
White
House condemns Israeli finance minister's remarks on
cease-fire
I wouldn't trust the
Biden deal either. Jake Sullivan, the National
Security Advisor, slammed Smotrich for his comments - saying
he is wrong and is misleading the Israeli people.
After the top Hamas
peace negotiator was assassinated in Tehran last week - the
new Hamas guy is even more of a hardliner. Hamas has
yet to respond to the meeting.
So what is holding back
this war? Some think that Biden's stern 'no!' to Iran
has deterred their retaliation against Israel.
Iran's retaliation is
pretty much a given...but maybe not the big 'attack' the
world is waiting for: "Iran says its response will be
conducted "in a manner not to the detriment" of a Gaza
cease-fire deal."
Iran said, "Our priority
is to establish a lasting ceasefire in Gaza; any agreement
accepted by Hamas will also be recognized by us..We have a
legitimate right to self-defense - a matter totally
unrelated to the Gaza ceasefire. However, we hope that
our response will be timed and conducted in a manner not to
the detriment of the potential ceasefire."
That doesn't sound like
the Iran the world is use to. Too civil. Where
are all the 'death to Israel', "vows of harsh punishment",
'the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime', 'duty to avenge
his blood', etc.?
Are they trying to get
Israel to let their guard down - maybe for a surprise,
massive attack?
That sounds more like
Iran.
Others are questioning
Iran's 'toned down' statement also: Airlines are being
watchful - cancelled flights. The IDF is still on high
alert. The U.S., Canada and other countries are
'pre-positioning' for possible evacuations from Lebanon,
Israel...
And many are looking at
the upcoming day of Tisha B'Av -
"Iran along with its
proxies is reportedly planning to launch their retaliatory
strike against Israel on August 12 - 13. Tehran has
decided to respond to Hamas' chief Ismail Haniyeh's
assassination on Tisha B'Av as per Western intelligence
sources told Sky News Arabia."
"The ninth day of the
Hebrew month of av, which starts Tuesday night,
is marked by fasting to commemorate the destruction of two
Jerusalem temples...
Tisha B'av is
Monday/Tuesday. August 12/13. Or 13/14 per above link.
The obvious answer to
Christians is God is holding this back. And it must be
for a specific date/day.
Pray for the peace of
Jerusalem!
Maranatha~
Chance